Reply Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 6, 2024
Reply means a response given in return to a question or statement. e.g., She typed a quick reply to the email.
Table of Contents
Reply Definitions
A verbal or written answer.
The teacher waited for a reply from the student.
To respond to a call or summons.
He did not reply to his name during roll call.
A reaction to a specific stimulus or situation.
His reply to the surprise was a wide smile.
A solution or answer to a problem or puzzle.
The scientist eagerly awaited a reply to his hypothesis.
An acknowledgment in communication.
He received a reply from the company within days.
The outcome or result of a previous action.
The team's victory was a reply to their previous defeat.
The act of responding to a verbal or written message.
His reply to the accusation was calm and collected.
To echo or resound.
The empty hallways reply to the sound of footsteps.
An argument or retort in a conversation or debate.
She had a witty reply for every comment.
To speak or write as a reaction to a question or other prompting.
To act in reaction or as a response
The enemy's bigs guns replied to the salvo.
(Law) To respond to the defendant's answer or plea.
To say or give as an answer
I replied that I was unable to help them.
A word or a series of words spoken or written in reaction, as to a question or request.
An act made in reaction or response.
(Law) A plaintiff's response to the defendant's answer or plea, especially with regard to counterclaims made by the defendant.
To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.
(intransitive) To act or gesture in response.
Joanne replied to Pete's insult with a slap to his face.
(intransitive) To repeat something back; to echo.
A written or spoken response; part of a conversation.
Something given in reply.
A counterattack.
(music) The answer of a figure.
A document written by a party specifically replying to a responsive declaration and in some cases an answer.
To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer.
O man, who art thou that repliest against God?
To answer a defendant's plea.
Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.
To return for an answer.
Lords, vouchsafeTo give me hearing what I shall reply.
That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.
A statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
I waited several days for his answer
He wrote replies to several of his critics
The speech act of continuing a conversational exchange;
He growled his reply
Reply or respond to;
She didn't want to answer
Answer the question
We answered that we would accept the invitation
Reply Snonyms
Answer
To speak or write back to someone who has asked a question or spoken to you.
He answered the question correctly.
Respond
To say something in return; make an answer.
She responded to the email immediately.
Rejoin
To say something in answer to a remark or accusation.
He rejoined with a witty comment.
Retort
To reply to, typically in a sharp or retaliatory way.
She retorted that it was none of his business.
Rebut
To argue or plead in opposition to (something).
The lawyer rebutted the witness's testimony.
Replicate
To reply or respond to.
She replicated with an email thanking them for their invitation.
Counter
To respond to a charge or accusation.
He countered the criticism with facts.
Return
To give, send, or provide a response.
The company will return your call within 24 hours.
Acknowledge
To recognize the existence or truth of something; respond to a gesture or action.
She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.
React
To act in response to something.
He reacted to the news with surprise.
Reply Idioms & Phrases
Quick to reply
Responding promptly or immediately.
She was quick to reply to the email, ensuring no delay.
No reply
An absence of response.
I called his name, but there was no reply.
Reply in kind
To respond in the same manner as one has been dealt with.
He insulted me, and I replied in kind.
Reply all
A response sent to all original recipients of a message, especially in email.
He accidentally hit 'reply all' and sent the message to everyone.
In reply to
As an answer or response to something.
In reply to your question, yes, we do have vegetarian options.
Without reply
To not respond or answer.
The accusations were left without reply.
By way of reply
As a means of responding.
By way of reply, she simply nodded.
In need of a reply
Requiring a response.
The urgent message was in need of a reply.
To not merit a reply
Considered not worth responding to.
The rude remark did not merit a reply.
Direct reply
A response that addresses the matter straightforwardly.
She appreciated his direct reply to her question.
Awaiting a reply
Expecting a response from someone.
I'm still awaiting a reply to my application.
To withhold a reply
To deliberately not respond.
She decided to withhold a reply until she had more information.
Final reply
The last response in a conversation or series of communications.
His final reply ended the debate.
To press for a reply
To insist on getting a response.
The interviewer pressed him for a reply.
Elicit a reply
To provoke or bring about a response.
Her comments were intended to elicit a reply.
To tailor a reply
To customize a response to suit the recipient or situation.
He tailored his reply to appeal to the audience.
To consider one's reply
To think carefully before responding.
She took a moment to consider her reply.
Draft a reply
To prepare a response before sending or delivering it.
He took his time to draft a reply to the sensitive email.
Under reply
Currently being responded to.
The email is under reply; I'll send it soon.
To make no reply
To remain silent or not respond verbally.
When asked about his plans, he made no reply.
Reply Example Sentences
The email demanded an urgent reply.
She received a reply to her letter after two weeks.
Her immediate reply showed her eagerness.
In reply to your inquiry, we are happy to assist.
He whispered a soft reply to the question.
Her reply was laced with sarcasm.
His reply was lost amid the noise.
The system generated an automatic reply.
The reply button was clicked without hesitation.
In his reply, he expressed deep gratitude.
The crowd's loud reply was overwhelming.
The artist's work was a reply to societal norms.
He crafted a thoughtful reply to the proposal.
The defendant's reply was recorded by the court.
The teacher's reply clarified the confusion.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in reply?
Reply has two syllables.
What is a stressed syllable in reply?
The second syllable 'ply' is stressed in reply.
How is reply used in a sentence?
Reply can be used as a noun or verb, indicating a response, e.g., He was quick to reply.
How do we divide reply into syllables?
Reply is divided into syllables as re-ply.
What is the verb form of reply?
The verb form is "reply," used in the same form for present, past, and participle with the addition of -ed or -ing for different tenses (replied, replying).
What is the root word of reply?
The root word of reply is the Latin 'replicare,' meaning to fold back or repeat.
Why is it called reply?
Reply comes from the Latin 'replicare' meaning to fold back or to repeat, indicating a response or return in communication.
What is the pronunciation of reply?
Reply is pronounced as /rɪˈplaɪ/.
What is the second form of reply?
The second form is "replied," used for the past tense.
What is the singular form of reply?
The singular form is "reply."
Is reply a noun or adjective?
Reply is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.
What is the first form of reply?
The first form is "reply," used for the present tense.
Is reply a vowel or consonant?
The word "reply" starts with a consonant.
Is the word reply a Gerund?
When used in the form "replying," it acts as a gerund.
Which determiner is used with reply?
Determiners like "a," "the," and "your" can be used with reply.
Which vowel is used before reply?
The vowel "e" is used before reply.
What part of speech is reply?
Reply can be both a noun and a verb.
Is reply an adverb?
No, reply is not an adverb.
Is reply an abstract noun?
As a concept of responding, reply can be considered an abstract noun.
Is reply a countable noun?
Yes, reply is a countable noun; you can have multiple replies.
Is the reply term a metaphor?
Reply itself is not typically a metaphor but can be used metaphorically in certain contexts.
What is the opposite of reply?
The opposite of reply could be "question" or "silence" depending on the context.
Which preposition is used with reply?
Prepositions like "to" and "in" can be used with reply, e.g., "in reply to."
Which conjunction is used with reply?
Conjunctions like "and" and "but" can be used, e.g., "He asked and awaited a reply."
What is another term for reply?
Another term for reply is "response."
What is the plural form of reply?
The plural form is "replies."
Is reply a negative or positive word?
Reply is neutral; it can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Is the word reply imperative?
Reply can be used in the imperative form as a command to respond.
What is the third form of reply?
The third form is "replied," used for the past participle.
Is reply a collective noun?
No, reply is not a collective noun.
Is the word “reply” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Reply can be a direct object, as in "I await your reply."
Which article is used with reply?
Both "a" and "the" can be used, depending on the context.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
